{"id":10198,"date":"2015-07-27T22:17:09","date_gmt":"2015-07-28T05:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=10198"},"modified":"2015-08-02T08:03:20","modified_gmt":"2015-08-02T15:03:20","slug":"rx1e-sunflyer-score-score-orders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/rx1e-sunflyer-score-score-orders\/","title":{"rendered":"RX1E, Sun Flyer Both Score More than a Score (of Orders)"},"content":{"rendered":"

China Daily reports, \u201cThe world’s first electric passenger aircraft to gain an airworthiness certificate has been produced by China.\u201d\u00a0 Whether the \u201cfirst\u201d certification statement is true will probably become a matter of debate, with Pipistrel\u2019s Alpha Electro being certified in France and seeking more general approvals from other countries including America. \u00a0Pipistrel has been selling a\u00a0Taurus Electro G2 self-launching sailplane for the last several years, and makes the following claims for it.<\/p>\n

“Taurus Electro G2<\/strong> is the only electric 2-seat aeroplane in serial production available on the market. Furthermore, Pipistrel believes it is the only truly useful electric aircraft out there, because the electric drive is applied to the glider airframe, where battery capacity is not a limiting factor in performance\/endurance. Taurus Electro G2 represents a leap forward in performance, safety, functionality and user friendliness.”<\/p>\n

We noted the RX1E\u2019s certification in the blog a few months ago.<\/a>\u00a0 It\u2019s in production in China with the first two aircraft delivered <\/a>to Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Company last month.\u00a0 The company reports orders for 28 of the one-million yuan ($163,000) aircraft at this point, all in China.<\/p>\n

\"Zhao-lijie<\/a>

Zhao-lijie demonstrates the quick-change battery configuration of the certified RX1E battery-powered LSA.
Photo: Willi Tacke<\/p><\/div>\n

It showed up as a static display at this year\u2019s AirVenture, and part of the Experimental Aircraft Association\u2019s report by Randy DuFault explains, \u201cElectric power systems are part of the ASTM LSA standard. That fact allowed Chinese aircraft manufacturer Liaoning General Aircraft Manufacturing Company to certify its RX1E two-seat, composite structure LSA in their home country.\u201d\u00a0 The Light Sport Aircraft designation allows a less rigorous medical regimen for pilot certification, but limits the airplane\u2019s weight and performance.<\/p>\n

Because the RX1E was designed from the start as a trainer, its 12 kilowatt-hour battery pack gives it an endurance of about 40 minutes, and its six battery packs can be swapped out in minutes, similar to the six on Pipistrel\u2019s Alpha Electro.<\/p>\n

\"China's<\/a>

China’s first electric plane has been delivered to its new owners in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning province<\/p><\/div>\n

Liaoning General Aircraft Manufacturing Company is apparently working on a fuel cell program, perhaps as a way to extend the endurance and range on the machine.\u00a0 Its cruise speed of 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) and more probable pattern airspeed of 60 mph means it will live up to claims that its 12-kilowatt battery pack will give enough endurance for a series of touch-and-goes, perfectly suited to the needs of student pilots.<\/p>\n

With Pipistrel on hold while the company searches for a supplier to replace the Siemens 85-kilowatt motor that graced Alpha Electro\u2019s nose until a few weeks ago, America\u2019s Aero Electric Aircraft Company has signed a deposit agreement with the Aero Touring Club De France<\/a> for a \u201ctraining system\u201d that includes an unstated number of Sun Flyers and Redwing Flight Simulators.\u00a0 The 100-year-old club\u2019s 200 members fly out of the Toussus le Noble airport in the middle of a large urban area.\u00a0 Quelling aircraft noise is important to the club\u2019s continued operation.<\/p>\n

\"text\"<\/a>

AEAC Sun Flyer adds to endurance with solar cells, enabling up to three-hour flights<\/p><\/div>\n

Jean Billioque, ATCF President, lists noise suppression and cost of operation [one-fifth those of a Cessna 172] as deciding factors in adding the Sun Flyer to the club\u2019s fleet.\u00a0 George Bye, President of AEAC, says \u201cIt is an honor to welcome ATCF as our first international customer. \u00a0The legacy and heritage this club brings to our Sun Flyer customer group is something we hold in high regard. Our goal is to help ATCF resolve the noise challenges they, and other training schools at general aviation airports worldwide, deal with every day.\u201d<\/p>\n